Condenser



TTORNEY aoooToooooon cooouocooooo G. L. MaCNEILL CON DENS ER Filed July 27', 1,922

June 17, 1930.

Patented J une l 7, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGTE L. MACNEILL- OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELLIOTT COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA coNnENsEn application med July 27,

' this purpose condensers have been constructed with a hot well, and with a steam by-pass leading thereto for heating the condensate in the hot well, there being a hydrostatic trap for preventing the steam by-passed around the condenser from entering the condenser through the outlet port. In such,construc tions, however, there has been no means provided for getting rid of the air in the hot well. This soon resulted in the hot lwell .becoming air bound, thereby preventing any further transfer of steam through the bypass.

It has also been proposed to construct condensers with the tube nest eccentrically disposed with respect to the condenser shell to provide an eilicient steam flow path, and to permit the tubes to be practically surrounded steam, or other fluid to be condensed, at substantially the temperature at which it enters the condenser. This has made it necessary for any liquid of condensation falling from the nest of tubes to pass through this uncondensed steam, or fluid, and therefore take upheat from the steam or fluid and be delivered at approximately the temperature of the steam or ,fluid 'through which itfalls. Such constructions, however, have not provided a separate heating chamber in which an effective heat transfer might take place.

In my present lnvention, there is provided a condenser of improved construction operating in a novel manner, wherebv the efficiency 1s greatly mcreased from a heat conservation standpoint, and the objections to exlsting co'nstructions effectively overcome.

In the accompanying drawings, there is 1922. serial no. 577,362.

shown for purposes of illustration only, a

' of Figure 2.'

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line II--II of Figure 1 and F ig. 3 is a view taken along the line III--III of Fig. 1. v

At the present time, it is customary torconstruct surface condensers in such manner that the steam enters the nest of tubes at one portion, usually at the top, traverses the nest of tubes, and is gradually condensed during its passage over the tubes. After traversing the nest of tubes, the vapor content is practically eliminated so that nothing remains but a small amount of vapor andthe non-condensable gases; These gases are then removed from the condenser by the provision of a suitable vacuum producing means. The point of gas off-take isv usually located-at the lowest4 part of the condenser and in this portion of the condenser thereobviously exists the lowest 'pressure and temperature.

Duri-ng the passage of the steam and noni condensable gases through the vnest of tubes in the condenser, there is some loss of pressure, so that while a very low pressure may exist within the condenser adjacent the point of gas off-take, the pressure is usually relatively higher at the point where the steam and gases enter the nest of tubes. By reason of the low pressure at the point of gas offtake the temperature at this point 1s also necessarily lower. This is due partly to the decreased pressure and partly to the decgease in the vapor content. Inasmuch as the pomt of gas off-take is generally at the lowest portion of the condenser, the condensate 1n dripping through this regionA assumes the temperature of the vapor at this point. This necessarily reduces the temperature o f condensate materially below that of the incoming steam.

`Inasmuch as the condensate from surface condensers is generally pumped back 1nto the boilers to be converted again into steam, it

i able as it prevents oxidation of boiler tubes.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, a condenser embodying the present invention may comprise a condenser shell 2, having a steam inlet` 3 adapted to receive steam from any desired source, such as a steam engine, steam turbine or other form of appartus. Extending longitudinally of the condenser shell, and providing a passage 4 leading directly from the steam inlet 3, is a pair-of spaced plates 5. On lopposite sides of the plates 5 may be arranged tube nests 6 as indicated. For sake of clearness, the tube .nests are indicated diagrammaticaly only, it being apparent that the number and arrange- `3o ment of tubes may be varied as desired. Part of the steam entering the condenser shell 2 will pass through the tube nests 6 to the low.- er portion of the condenser shell. During this passage the major portion of the steam will be condensed whereby at the termination of the flq'vv path through the condenserthere will exist only a comparatively small amount of vapor, together with the non-condensable gas content. This remaining vapor, together 4o with the non-condensable gases, may be withdrawn from the condenser through openings 7 communicating with an oi-take connection 8 leadin to a vacuum producing means of any we l-known construction. This flow will take place around baffles 9 secured to the plates 5 and overlying the openings 7.

. The condensate formed in the condenser will pass through perforations in the plate 10 into the heating chamber 11. Communicating with this heating chamber is the .con-

Iduit 4 which conducts steam directly from the inlet 3 to the heating chamber. This chamber constitutes in e'ect a jet condenser the cold condensate coming from the surface. condenser. This condensate condenses a portion of the steam in the heating chamber 11 80 and in so doing is heated up to the steam temperature and is thereby de-aerated. ln order to provide for the oli-take of the accumulated gas which is left after the vapor is condensed in the chamber 11 to prevent the same from es becoming air bound, the heating chamber is operating in parallel with the surfacev con' o denser, and in which the condensing water is formed with any desired number of escape openings 12.

It will be apparent that the condenser shell may be provided with a header 13 of anydesired construction forsupplying cooling water to the tubes in the nests 6, and that this -cooln water after passing through the lower ban of tubes will enter the reversing box 14 from which it will be directed into the upper bank of tubes.

- The heating chamber 11 may also be provided with a hot well 15 from which the condensate may be led to the desired boiler or other apparatus.

' By reason of the provision of means for causing the condensate to be directly subjected, ina specially provided heating chamber; to the action of steam before the passage of the condensate from the condenser, it will be obvious that the condensate is maintained at the highest possible temperature thereby Inaterially increasing the eiciency of the apparatus by decreasing the amount of heat energy which will be required in reconverting it into steam. The high temperature of the condensate causes it to be de-aerated which is desirable to prevent oxidation of boiler tubes.

The advantages lof the present invention arise from the provision of efficient means for causing the condensate to leave the condenser at the highest possible temperature.

Further advantages arise from the provision of a separate heating chamber having means for preventing the same from becoming air bound, and from the respective and relative locations of the outlet for noncondensable gases from the condenser and heating chamber.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a condenser, a shell having a heating chamber therein, two tube nests disposed above the heating chamber, and a conduit between the tube nests for passing steam independently of the' tube nests into theheating chamber to raise the temperature of the Water therein, said condenser and said chamber each having a gas take-oil communicating therewith and located adjacent the termini of their respective condensing zones.

2. A surface condenser comprising a single shell, a tube nest therein, a heating chamber below the tube nest also disposed therein, a conduit also disposed in the shell for passing steam independently of the tube nest to the heatin chamber and means secured to the condult for conducting non-condensable gases outside the condenser shell.

3., Tn a surface condenser, a shell having a pluralityl of tube nests therein, a heating chamber within the shell below the tube nests, means extending between the tube nests for passing steam independently thereof into the heating chamber, and means for permitting the escape of gases from the heating chamber to the tube nests.

' within the shell below the chamber therein,

4. In a surface condenser, a shell having two nests of tubestherein, a heating chamber within the shell below the tube nests, a conduit separating said tube nests forv passing steam independently thereof to the heating chamber, and means for permitting the escape of vapors from the heating chamber to the tube nests. j

5. In a surface condenser, a shell having two nests of tubes therein, a heating chamber within the shell below the tube nests, a conduit between the tube nests for conducting steam independently thereof to the chamber, means for causing a divided iiow of condensate from the tube nests to mingle with the steam within the heating chamber, thereby heating the condensate, means for permitting the escape of vapors from-the heating chamber to the tube nests, and means communicating with the tubenests at the points of flow termination therein for conducting non-condensable gases to a vpoint outside the condenser"` shell. l 6. In a surface condenser, a shell having two nests of tubes therein, a heating chamber tube nests, a conduit between said tube nests for conducting steam independently thereof to the heating chamber, means for causing a divided ilow of condensate from the tube nests to mingle with the steam within the heating chamber, thereby heating the condensate, means adjacent the point of steam How termination within the heating chamber for permitting the escape of vapors from the heating chamber to the tube nests and means communicating with the tube nests at the points of fiow termination therein for conducting non-condensable gases from within the condenser, said means being at least partially supported by said conduit.

7. In a condenser, a shell having'a heating tubes above the heating chamber, there being a passageway between said tubes dividing the same into separated nests, said passageway being constructed to -pass steam between the nests into the heatlng chamber to raise the temperature of the water therein, said condenser and said chamber each having gas take-off means communicating therewith and located adjacent the flow terminus of the tube nests, the gas oil'take means for said chamber discharging linto the tube space thereabove.

8. The combination vwith a surface condenser shell in which theI degree of vacuum increases progressively from the point of steam entrance to the region of air outlet, of

a reheater for the condensate included within said shell, a steam supply passageway adapted to draw steam from the surface condenser at a point of relatively. high absolute pressure, and a vent for air and non-condensable gases from the reheater to a region ofthe main condenser not at the lowest absolute pressure.

. denser shell in heating.

j Y 9. The combination with a surface conwhich the degree of vacuum increases progressively from the point lof steam entrance to the region of air outlet, of a reheater which heats by direct contact' of water andl vapor included within the condenser shell,. a steam supply passageway adapted to draw steam from the surface condenser at av point of relatively high absolute pressure, and a. vent for air and non-com densable gases from the reheater to a region of the main condenser not at the lowest absolute pressure.

10. The combination with a surface condensershell in which the degree of vacuum increases progressively from the point of steam entrance to the region of air outlet, of a reheater for the condensate within the condenser shell, a steam supply passageway also located within the condenser shell and denser at a point of relatively'high absolute pressure, and a vent for air and nonconden sable gases from the reheater to a region of the main condenser not at the lowest abso lute pressure.

11. The combination with a'main condenser in which the degree of vacuum increases progressively from the point of steam entrance to the region of air outlet, of a reheater for the condensate from the surface condenser, a steam supply passageway located entirely within said condenser and adapted to draw steam therefrom at a point of relatively high absolute pressure and deliver the same to said reheater, and a vent for air and noncondensa ble gases from the reheater to a region of the main condenser not at the lowest absolute pressure.

12. The combination with a main surface condenser in which the degree of vacuum increases progressively from the point ofsteam entrance to the region of air outlet, of a reheater 4for the condensate from the surface condenser, a steam supply passageway located within the condenser and adapted to draw steam therefrom at a point of relatively high absolute pressure, anda vent for air and non-condensable gases from the reheater to a point adjacent the flow terminus of the condenser.

13. The combination with a main surface,

condenser in which the degree of vacuum increases progressively from the polnt of steam entrance to the region of an' outlet, of a reheater for the condensate from thesurface v non-condensable gases withdrawn.

14. A surface condenser comprising a sinlll 85 adapted to draw steamfrom the surface congle shell, a tube nest therein, a heating chamber below the tube nest, a conduit disposed in the shell for passing steam independently of the tube nest to the heating chamber, and means secured to the conduit for conducting nlonl-lcondensable gases outside the condenser SIC 15. In a surface condenser, a shell having a. plurality of tube nests therein, a heating chamber' below the tube nests for receiving condensate therefrom, means within the condenser extending between the tube nests for passing steam independently thereof into the heating chamber for heating the. condensate therein, and meanspermitting the escape of gases from the heating chamber to the tube nests.

16.A In a surface condenser, a shell having a plurality of tube nests therein, a heating chamber condensate therefrom,.means within the condenser extending between the tube nests for passing steam independently thereof into the heating chamberv for heating the condensate therein, means permitting the escape of gases fromthe heating chamber to the tube nests, and means for cooling at least a portion of the non-condensable gases withdrawn.

17. In a surface condenser, a shell having two nests of tubes therein, a heating chamber below the tube nests for receiving condensate therefrom, a conduit within the condenser separating said tube nests for passing steam independently thereof to the heating chamber, and means permitting the escape of vaporsl from the heating chamber to the tube nests.

18. In a surface condenser, a shell having i two nests of tubes therein, a heating chamber below the tube nests for receiving condensate therefrom, there being a steam passageway within the condenser between the tube nests for passing steam independently of theitube nests to the heating chamber, and means permitting the escape of vapors from the heating chamber into the tube nests.

19. In a surface condenser, a shell having two nests of tubes therein, below the tube nests, a conduit between the tube nests for conducting steam independently thereof to the heating chamber, means for causing va divided flow of condensate from the tube nests to mingle with thev steam within the heating chamber, thereby heating condensate, means for permitting the escape of vapors from the heating chamber to the tube nests, and means communicating with the tube nests at the point of flow termination therein for conducting non-condensable gases to a point outside the condenser shell.

20. In a surface condenser, a shell having two nests of tubes therein, a heating chamber below the tube nests for receiving condensate `thcrefrom,itl1ere being a passageway within the surface condenser between the tube nests below the tube nests for receiving f means extending the tube nests, and means a heating chamber the for conducting steam directly to the heating chamber, means for causing a divided low of condensate from the tube nests to mingle with the steam within the heating chamber, thereby heating the condensate, means permitting the escape of vapors from the heating chamber into the tube nests, and means communicating with the tube nests adjacent the flow terminus thereof for conducting non-condensable gases therefrom to a point outside the condenser shell.

21. In a condenser, a shell having a tube nest therein, a conduit for conducting fluid to a zone below said tube nest, and means at least partly supported b said conduit for conducting non-condensa le gases to a point l on one side of a longitudinally extending vertically disposed median plane.

22. 'In a condenser, a shell having a tube nest therein, a heating chamber within the shellsbelow said tube nest, a conduit for conducting fluid to said heating chamber, and means at leastvpartly supported by said conduit for conducting non-condensable gases from said heating'chamber to a point outside of the condenser shell.

23. In a surface condenser, a shell having a plurality of tube nests therein, a heating chamber within the shell below the tube nests, between the tube nests for passing steam independently thereof into the heating chamber, means for permitting the escape of gases from the heating chamber to for conducting such gases to a point outside of the condenser shell.

24. In acondenser, a shell having a tube nest therein, a conduit for conducting vapor to a point adjacent the flow terminus of the tube nest, and means extending outwardly from the interior of said condenser to the outside thereof for -withdrawing the non-con- 10 densable gases therefrom.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name -this 24th day of July,

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